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Cochran brings home fourth place State medal

By Alan CarmanThe Imperial Republican Chase County took four wrest­lers to the State Wrestling Tournament Feb. 18-21. Although only one wrestler came home with a medal, the other wrestlers brought home a memory that will last a lifetime. Keithan Cochran got the Longhorns off to a great start with a 4-2 victory over Brandon Roath of Palmyra. Next up for the Longhorns was Jeremiah Lueth facing Jacob Brown, a freshman from Central City. Brown started off the match with a quick pace and got ahead early but Lueth was able to get back in the match in the second period. With just over a minute to go in the final period, Lueth got caught and pinned to end his wrestling for the day.Next up was Tyler Roenfeldt. In first round action Roenfeldt faced District C-3 champion Ben Konen of Hastings St. Cecilia. Konen caught Roenfeldt quickly and before he could react, Tyler found himself on his back and unable to break free. The match ended in 1 minute. Nathan Hinojosa finished up the first round of action facing Alex Caples of Syracuse. Caples was the C-1 district champion with a record of 21-2. Hinojosa held his own in the first period. Caples started the second period in the down position and scored a quick reversal which he turned into a pinning combination. That was the end of the first round of action. Winners of the first round went immediately into the second round. Wrestlers with a loss had to wait until Friday morning for their next match. Cochran came up against Lake Thompson of Battle Creek in the second round. In a very fast paced match, Cochran lost a decision of 4-11. This moved him into the second round consolation matches Friday.Friday morning brought first round consolation matches. Lueth started the day facing Jay Wolff of Lutheran High Northeast. Lueth seemed to be unable to find his rhythm and lost an 8-18 decision. Roenfeldt wrestled much better in his second match against Preston Kellum of Syracuse. Although the two seemed pretty evenly matched, Kellum won a 0-6 decision. Nathan Hinojosa faced a much larger Josh Brahmsteadt of Centennial in his second match. After a first round of feeling out, Hinojosa was unable to handle the size difference and was pinned. That ended the tournament for these three wrestlers, but with Roenfeldt being the only senior, Lueth and Hinojosa will be able to feed off their experience for next year’s tournament. In the next round Keithan Cochran faced Southern Valley’s Jesse Hays. This was a rematch of the district consolation finals in which Cochran won easily. Nothing comes easy at state and Cochran was forced into overtime. With a takedown and two points for a near fall Cochran preserved the win 13-9. This win brought Cochran to the consolation quarter-finals. A win in this round assures a medal. Cochran faced Avery Rolland of Arlington Friday night. In a match with very little scoring, Cochran found himself behind 1-2 with just seven seconds left. His only options were an escape for a tie and overtime or a reversal and the win. When the whistle blew there was no hesitation. Cochran pulled the quick switch on Rolland and secured the two points, the win and assured himself of a medal. Without a doubt this was the most exciting match of the tournament for the Longhorn fans. On Saturday morning in the consolation semi-finals, Cochran faced Skyler Teten of Syracuse. The match went back and forth, but at the end Cochran won 7-6. In his final match of the tournament, Cochran faced Lake Thompson of Battle Creek again. Thompson won the match 8-2 to give Cochran the fourth place medal.Other wrestlers from around the area bring home medals Adam Simpson of Hitchcock County/Wauneta-Palisade brought home a fourth place medal at 215 pounds and tied the state single season pin record of 40. Kyle Schulze, of Perkins County brought home a fifth place medal in the 130 pound division in class D. Chase County individual results:112 Keithan Cochran decisioned Brandon Roath (Palmyra) 4-2, decisioned by Lake Thompson (Battle Creek) 4-11, decisioned Jesse Hays (Southern Valley) 13-9 in overtime, decisioned Avery Rolland (Arlington) 3-2, decisioned Skyler Teten (Syracuse) 7-6, decisioned by Lake Thompson (Battle Creek) 8-2 for fourth place.140 Jeremiah Lueth pinned by Jacob Brown (Central City) 4:48, major decisioned by Jay Wolff (Lutheran High Northeast) 8-18.215 Tyler Roenfeldt pinned by Ben Konen (Hastings St. Cecilia) 1:00, decisioned by Preston Kellum (Syracuse) 0-6.285 Nathan Hinojosa pinned by Alex Caples (Syracuse) 2:37, pinned by Josh Brahmsteadt (Centennial) 2:28.